The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu, on Wednesday, paraded nine suspected arsonists and criminal looters who were arrested in connection with the violence that followed the #EndSARS protest at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
The CP in a press briefing disclosed that six policemen were killed and five Divisional Police Headquarters as well as Police Patrol vehicles were burnt down by criminals who used the protest as an excuse to perpetrate their heinous crimes.
CP Nwachukwu who lamented the killing of policemen, said some of them were roasted like goats despite committing no offence against their attackers.
According to him, six persons who were arrested in Ogbomoso during the EndSARS violence in the town, had been charged to court.
He added that the police were on the trail of those who looted, killed, and committed arson in the state, saying they would be arrested very soon.
In his words, the CP said, ‘six police officers were gruesomely murdered, five Divisional Police headquarters, police Patrol vehicles were burnt down and exhibits looted in the exhibits room with many police arms and ammunition carted away due to activities of criminal elements who capitalized on the protest to perpetrate their heinous crimes.
“Nonetheless, the Oyo State Police Command have arrested no fewer than nine suspected arsonists and looters for allegedly attacking the Divisional Police headquarters, Iseyin on Thursday 22 October, 2020 and thereafter setting the station ablaze under the pretext of #EndSARS protests that lingered for so many days.
“A team of policemen attached to the unit moved swiftly to the area and in the process, nine of the arsonists and criminal looters were arrested in connection with the crimes, while some exhibits were recovered from them.
“Upon interrogations, the suspects confessed to the crime and also gave useful information that will lead to the arrest of other hoodlums who participated in criminal activities. Effort is on to arrest other fleeing suspects.”
The CP gave the names of the suspects as Taoreed Hamsat (a.k.aShorlex) 26 years; Tajudeen Ibrahim (a.k.a Aji) 40 years; Moshood Fatai (a.k.a Elewure) 39 years and Musibau Abubakar (a.k.a Stainles) 21 years.
Other suspects are: Sikiru Aliu (a.k.a 1414) 25 years; Fasasi Fatai (a.k.a Lemo) 24 years; Isiaka Olaniyi, 32 years; Raheem Toheeb, 28 years and Adeleke Akeem, 42 years.
One of the suspects, Taoreed Hamzat who spoke with CEOAFRICA confessed that he had a stolen generator in his possession, while some other denied involvement in the crime.
The items recovered from the criminals include; one small generator, Nino wall clock belonging to the Division, one Bajaj motorcycle, one Hero 125 motorcycle, and one TVS motorcycle with Reg. no DGB215QK.
The CP commended the good people of Oyo State for warding off arsonists who attempted to burn down police stations in their areas and urged to always call the police on 07055495413 and 08081768614 if the need arises.